Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

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Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

Kristian Garic Reporting
Will Smith has been with the Saints since 2004. He has led the team in sacks from 2005 to 2007. Smith has a career total of 49.5 quarterback sacks and yet he's not considered one of the top flight defensive ends in the league "It simply has to do with the fact that before the Saints won the Super Bowl nobody knew who he was because he played in New Orleans," WWL's Bobby Hebert said. Smith is one of the quiet leaders in the locker room. He's survived a coaching change and is one of three remaining players from the previous coaching regime still on the roster. That is no coincidence. "There is a reason he's around. He's highly productive. He's a tremendous leader and a good character guy something that Coach Sean Payton places a lot of emphases on," Hebert explained.

Smith might be getting better with age. Last season the former Ohio State Buckeye posted a career high of 13 sacks including 7.5 from November through the Super Bowl in February.

"He's is a cornerstone player without question. He makes their defensive line so much better," WWL's Hokie Gajan said. So why isn't he mentioned in the conversation of "elite" defensive ends in the NFL? "He's not flashy. He doesn't have one of those patented sack dances that you see so many defensive ends craft," Gajan said. In the same time frame, Minnesota Vikings defensive end, Jared Allen, has amassed 72 QB takedowns, but only 332 tackles over his career. Sure Allen's sack totals are higher but defensive ends are supposed to stop the run, too. Smith has tallied 419 tackles in his 6 years in the league. By comparison Allen has 332 tackles during the same 6 year period.

Will Smith doesn't care about recognition and isn't a self promoter. "We're about winning games over here," he responded when asked if he feels slighted by the lack of recognition. Smith's leadership qualities don't go unnoticed but by his head coach. "He's a leader. He's one of our captains. Shoot, I'm glad he's with us," Sean Payton told me.

Smith went to the Pro Bowl following the 2006 season and expects to be invited again. "Sometimes that's a popularity test more than anything," Smith said, shrugging off the honor. Coach Sean Payton expressed the importance of Will Smith to the success to the defense. "He's one of these steady performers in the running and passing game. He's a guy, that week in and week out, is very consistent."

The rest of the league might take Jarred Allen or Dwight Freeny but the Who Dat nation is glad that Will Smith is in black in gold

SaintPauly

08-05-2010 08:12 AM

Re: Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

I love me some Big Willie Style! He went to Miami, and he kicked some butt. Nothing but love for the guy. Glad he's one of us.

Rugby Saint II

08-05-2010 01:14 PM

Re: Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

Now we just need the other ends to step up.

dizzle88

08-05-2010 02:19 PM

Re: Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

this quote stood out to me "Will Smith doesn't care about recognition and isn't a self promoter", seems like allen was talked about so much last year, he had about 0.5 sacks more than will smith. hes talked about because of his dance (for the record i enjoyed tracy porters rendition of it much more) The leadership and fire that will smith brings to the team is great, gotta love him!

breesfan27

08-05-2010 02:24 PM

Re: Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

Fresh Prince of the French Quarter!

D_it_up

08-05-2010 02:24 PM

Re: Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzle88
(Post 235041)

(for the record i enjoyed tracy porters rendition of it much more)

Indeed. I wonder how stupid mullethead felt when it was done in their direction.

breesfan27

08-05-2010 02:30 PM

Re: Will Smith: Underrated - but not underappreciated by the Who Dat Nation

I think it's amazing how he's been with the team for so long, yet he's still relativity unknown to the rest of the league. I had forgotten he was with the team before the Payton era.

It's awesome that he is considered underrated. You know most of those QBs are thinking "Who the f&%$ is this guy?" seconds before they are being pummeled into the turf by #91.